Worth buying for me?

Okay, pretty much long story short, I am a casual gamer. I used to love/love playing MMO's but I work 8 hours a day, have a wife and children and play sports. I was extremely excited for GW2 because of the whole horizontal progression idea. I wouldn't have to put in the extreme hours to be on a par while PKing etc and keep putting them in to keep up..

My plan is to buy it this weekend, but I have been reading a lot about grinding after reaching max level. If this is true I will not be buying it. I have 5-10 hours of play time a week (sometimes less), and I don't want to spend the entire time trying to make it to a level where I can compete in PVP. I don't know much about the specifics of the game - I just want to know if I will be able to play casually, enjoy myself, and reach this plateau so I can start being competative in PVP within 3-4 months.

Okay makes sense. It's nice to be able to pvp from a low level, but then again.. if I wana pvp along side my friends who have more time to play I'll still have to put in the time to level right? I can understand 100ish hours to get there, but if it's going to turn into 300-400 just to get to the point where I can relax about it...

Okay makes sense. It's nice to be able to pvp from a low level, but then again.. if I wana pvp along side my friends who have more time to play I'll still have to put in the time to level right? I can understand 100ish hours to get there, but if it's going to turn into 300-400 just to get to the point where I can relax about it...

Nope, everyone get bumped up to the same level with the same gear when joining PvP. No matter if you are level 2 or level 60.

I just want to know if I will be able to play casually, enjoy myself, and reach this plateau so I can start being competative in PVP within 3-4 months.

The answer is "Yes, you will be able to play casually and enjoy yourself".

There is grind of a sort which I would describe as semi-optional. There are exotic armors that are the highest level gear in the game, statistically speaking. You will most likely have to grind to earn that gear; either through completing dungeons, gathering crafting materials to make it, or farming for gold to buy it outright from another player who has crafted it.

However, grind is a relative term. For example, to earn a complete set of exotic armor would require ~44 successful dungeon runs (i.e. kill the dungeon boss). For some people that may be very grindy. For others, that may be a piece of cake.

Alternately, there is rare armor. Exotic armor is 13% better than rare armor. If you're willing to accept that difference, then rare armor can be had for significantly less grind/cheaper.

Here's an article that goes into great detail explaining the differences and what you need to do to acquire these armors:

As far as playing with your friends, that depends on what flavor of PvP you want to do. If you're doing WvWvW, then the gear you earn in PvE is the gear you wear in WvWvW. In structured and tournament PvP, it's as Lordkrall explained; everyone is leveled up and given access to max gear for those arenas.

However, since the timeline you gave is 3 to 4 months, I think that's ample time to accomplish your goal. Good luck and have fun

in the BG type games you unlock all skills and get the same gear (I think)

In WvWvW you get max level but you can only use the spells you have unlocked (If I remember correctly)

So while it is almost "balanced" a lvl80 verse a lvl2 will be a bit unfair as the lvl 80 has all utility skills and his elite skills to back him up, but you can still contribute without feeling like a drain on the team.

The answer is "Yes, you will be able to play casually and enjoy yourself".

There is grind of a sort which I would describe as semi-optional. There are exotic armors that are the highest level gear in the game, statistically speaking. You will most likely have to grind to earn that gear; either through completing dungeons, gathering crafting materials to make it, or farming for gold to buy it outright from another player who has crafted it.

However, grind is a relative term. For example, to earn a complete set of exotic armor would require ~44 successful dungeon runs (i.e. kill the dungeon boss). For some people that may be very grindy. For others, that may be a piece of cake.

Alternately, there is rare armor. Exotic armor is 13% better than rare armor. If you're willing to accept that difference, then rare armor can be had for significantly less grind/cheaper.

Here's an article that goes into great detail explaining the differences and what you need to do to acquire these armors:

As far as playing with your friends, that depends on what flavor of PvP you want to do. If you're doing WvWvW, then the gear you earn in PvE is the gear you wear in WvWvW. In structured and tournament PvP, it's as Lordkrall explained; everyone is leveled up and given access to max gear for those arenas.

However, since the timeline you gave is 3 to 4 months, I think that's ample time to accomplish your goal. Good luck and have fun

You can also get exotic sets via Crafting, or WvW, or buying with Karma

Well, it sounds like there is a bit of time that you need to put in to be on par with the high end players, but if it's enjoyable time then I have no problems. I just don't wana run round killing mob 10000x to get gold or whatever, and it seems like I won't have to.. Little bit frustrated that they don't have an "easy to get" top end equipment piece, but its not a p2p so I guess I can check it out anyway.

I don't know much about the specifics of the game - I just want to know if I will be able to play casually, enjoy myself, and reach this plateau so I can start being competative in PVP within 3-4 months.

OK, to expound on what others already have said.

If PvP is your thing. Competitive PvP at that.

GW2 has two modes of PvP. One needs to keep them apart, because not all PvP is equal.

Structured PvP (sPvP) - which is the competitive flavour. 2 teams of 5 pitted against each other in a format we're used of seeing in just about any kind of competitive PvP.

sPvP is the individually ranked flavour of PvP. If GW2 is aiming toward the e-sport arena. This is it.

Takes you between 5-30 minutes after character creation to get into sPvP. Depending on how quickly you move through the little tutorial instance where every character start out.

After that, though, you are gear and powerwise (all skills and traits unlocked etc) on equal footing with everyone else in sPvP. - Skillwise however, well that's up to your own skills as a player and how well you've learned the combat and movement system.

Upon entering the PvP lobby your character will automagically be max level, and you will have full access to free max level gear. Same as everyone else. PvE armoursets and weapons can not be used in PvP.

But then there is also WvW... Which is another flavour of PvP in GW2. - The fun times not individually ranked open world kind of PvP with many PvE elements in it, including PvE gear. Where you are fighting for the glory of your server, not yourself.

Where you have 3 servers matched up for (eventually, right now it's 24 h to collect data for matchmaking purposes) 14 day battles on a rather larger scale - map wise. With towers and keeps to take and defend. And no matched teams. You can be 3 people vs. 12... or 200...

For that kind of PvP. You are leveled up, your stats and HP scale up. But your gear is not. Nor do you get any skill or trait unlocks. (although you can unlock and level up while playing, also there are loot drops in WvW - and it will most likely not take you more than 3-4 months to level up to where you are on par with your friends. No need to leave the PvP to go out in PvE-land and kill stuff just to level yourself or your gear... Aside from that first 5-30 minute tutorial instance, you need never touch the PvE side of the game. If you really, really, really like PvP. Although I'd recommend you do, because the PvE world is breath takingly beautiful.)

So, yeah. I guess it depends with what you mean with being competitive in PvP. Answer is yes, and sort of.

There's lots to check off your bucket list at max level and some things are actually challenging (noting that casual dies not mean bad), but I would certainly describe GW2 PvE as "casual paradise." GW2 "grinding" consists of playing the game and any of it is optional.

Personally, I could happily engross myself in GW2 for the next year just by walking around the map, gawking at how pretty everything is and rooting out all the little hidden lookout points, caverns, and tunnels (which tend to include random minibosses and chests of loot). There is a lot of attention to detail and there is no raiding as WoW knows it.

Well, it sounds like there is a bit of time that you need to put in to be on par with the high end players, but if it's enjoyable time then I have no problems. I just don't wana run round killing mob 10000x to get gold or whatever, and it seems like I won't have to.. Little bit frustrated that they don't have an "easy to get" top end equipment piece, but its not a p2p so I guess I can check it out anyway.

Well it is actually easy to get top end equipment stuff. Like people said, if you play pvp (im not talking about wvw here) you get the top armor. Can change it to will so the stats are what you want them to be, without paying for any of it. And have the highest level of everything. If you have been playing 1 hour or 1 month, your stats will be equal. So thats your armor, weapon of choice, stats of choice.
All your skills (including elite skills) are unlocked in these pvp tournaments.

That kinda sounds like what you wanted. For WvW though, you will be boosted to level 80, but you will wear the gear, weapons and stats you also use in PVE.

I think the game will be great for you - but before getting the game do good research, make sure that what it offers is right for you! Many people expected something different and were disappointed.

I myself have little time to play, and I'm really taking my time, soaking up as much as possible and exploring... the game is ideal for me, it's really the MMO I've always wanted. It's not perfect of course, but what it offers is what I want, so I'm happy

The individual skills that tend to make you into an outstanding player. Are completely and utterly gear independent.

The kind of skills that makes players stand out in WvW lies more toward strategy and leadership ones. It's less about how big numbers you get on the screen, and more about herding a bunch of generally mostly puggers into doing the right thing, at the right time and the right place.

I think the game will be great for you - but before getting the game do good research, make sure that what it offers is right for you! Many people expected something different and were disappointed.

I myself have little time to play, and I'm really taking my time, soaking up as much as possible and exploring... the game is ideal for me, it's really the MMO I've always wanted. It's not perfect of course, but what it offers is what I want, so I'm happy

Yeah I will definitely put in the research, but at this point it looks like it will be great for me too. Looking forward to giving it a go!

Saintray1, on 06 September 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

Well it is actually easy to get top end equipment stuff. Like people said, if you play pvp (im not talking about wvw here) you get the top armor. Can change it to will so the stats are what you want them to be, without paying for any of it. And have the highest level of everything. If you have been playing 1 hour or 1 month, your stats will be equal. So thats your armor, weapon of choice, stats of choice.
All your skills (including elite skills) are unlocked in these pvp tournaments.

That kinda sounds like what you wanted. For WvW though, you will be boosted to level 80, but you will wear the gear, weapons and stats you also use in PVE.

Thanks for the explanation, I'm starting to understand how it works I think. Sounds like a good system.

Jairyn, on 06 September 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

There's lots to check off your bucket list at max level and some things are actually challenging (noting that casual dies not mean bad), but I would certainly describe GW2 PvE as "casual paradise." GW2 "grinding" consists of playing the game and any of it is optional.

Personally, I could happily engross myself in GW2 for the next year just by walking around the map, gawking at how pretty everything is and rooting out all the little hidden lookout points, caverns, and tunnels (which tend to include random minibosses and chests of loot). There is a lot of attention to detail and there is no raiding as WoW knows it.

PvP-wise, the post above me lays it out rather nicely.

That's exactly what I'm looking for outside of PvP. To just wander round and explore, sometimes defending myself or killing a boss instead of killing the same thing over and over..

geekling, on 06 September 2012 - 09:25 AM, said:

OK, to expound on what others already have said.

If PvP is your thing. Competitive PvP at that.

GW2 has two modes of PvP. One needs to keep them apart, because not all PvP is equal.

Structured PvP (sPvP) - which is the competitive flavour. 2 teams of 5 pitted against each other in a format we're used of seeing in just about any kind of competitive PvP.

sPvP is the individually ranked flavour of PvP. If GW2 is aiming toward the e-sport arena. This is it.

Takes you between 5-30 minutes after character creation to get into sPvP. Depending on how quickly you move through the little tutorial instance where every character start out.

After that, though, you are gear and powerwise (all skills and traits unlocked etc) on equal footing with everyone else in sPvP. - Skillwise however, well that's up to your own skills as a player and how well you've learned the combat and movement system.

Upon entering the PvP lobby your character will automagically be max level, and you will have full access to free max level gear. Same as everyone else. PvE armoursets and weapons can not be used in PvP.

But then there is also WvW... Which is another flavour of PvP in GW2. - The fun times not individually ranked open world kind of PvP with many PvE elements in it, including PvE gear. Where you are fighting for the glory of your server, not yourself.

Where you have 3 servers matched up for (eventually, right now it's 24 h to collect data for matchmaking purposes) 14 day battles on a rather larger scale - map wise. With towers and keeps to take and defend. And no matched teams. You can be 3 people vs. 12... or 200...

For that kind of PvP. You are leveled up, your stats and HP scale up. But your gear is not. Nor do you get any skill or trait unlocks. (although you can unlock and level up while playing, also there are loot drops in WvW - and it will most likely not take you more than 3-4 months to level up to where you are on par with your friends. No need to leave the PvP to go out in PvE-land and kill stuff just to level yourself or your gear... Aside from that first 5-30 minute tutorial instance, you need never touch the PvE side of the game. If you really, really, really like PvP. Although I'd recommend you do, because the PvE world is breath takingly beautiful.)

So, yeah. I guess it depends with what you mean with being competitive in PvP. Answer is yes, and sort of.

This was a very good explanation. The system really sounds awesome. I guess since WvW is more focused on your server winning, being slightly undergeard (rare instead of exotic) probably wouldn't stop you enjoying it. How would it be scored? I wouldn't wana make the server shit by running in and dying repeatedly though hahah. I will also definitely try out the PvE. It seems aimed more towards fun than anything, which is always nice.

At this point I'm more worried about playing the game too much cause I'm enjoying myself, than of forcing myself to play too much just to beat some achievement.

geekling, on 06 September 2012 - 10:22 AM, said:

I also wanted to mention that in WvW...

The individual skills that tend to make you into an outstanding player. Are completely and utterly gear independent.

The kind of skills that makes players stand out in WvW lies more toward strategy and leadership ones. It's less about how big numbers you get on the screen, and more about herding a bunch of generally mostly puggers into doing the right thing, at the right time and the right place.

Awesome.
Edit. This is what I ment above by hopefully being able to enjoy it without being fully geared. Personal ability more important than having a perfectly maxed out character. Of course you should need a competative character, but having to be perfectly statted to even compete is annoying.

How would it be scored? I wouldn't wana make the server shit by running in and dying repeatedly though hahah. I will also definitely try out the PvE. It seems aimed more towards fun than anything, which is always nice.

Scores are based on points on the map held. No scores for killing other players. Just taking objectives.

So no, not even being undergeared in the sense of you're wearing lvl 1 armour, will hurt your server at all. Nor should it hurt your enjoyment of it. Unless you're a bit particular about gear....

And even undergeared there are plenty of things you can do and really make a difference, where your gear is of no consequence. Like manning a cannon on the walls of your keep, fighting off attackers. Or running supplies so your server can build siege equipment.

The worst thing you can possibly do is annoy a few cranky old sods that you're 'taking up a space from someone 'better''. And that's probably a passing worry, more associated with launch issues and growing pains.

Some more populated servers are suffering rather horrendous queues to get into WvW ATM (there is a cap on how many people / server can be on each map at the same time, not sure of the number but it is in the hundreds but they're still getting hammered by thousands trying to get in at the same time). So there is some resentment by the people in the queue that they 'deserve' your spot more than you do.

But hopefully that is a passing worry as Anet sorts something out. Or just population settles down a bit.